I found this information on Cnet, you could give it a try.

There are two different ways to reset the administrator's password that I have used successfully.

The first is with a commercial package: ERD Commander 2005 that is also available in the Microsoft Diagnostics & Recovery Toolset (a part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack that is available to companies with software assurance).

The second, and the one that may be easiest for you is the "Offline NT Password & Registry Editor" available free of charge here:

http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/

You would have to have a friend download it and burn it to a CD-ROM for you, but after that, it is quite easy to use. In fact, for the purpose you need to put it to, you can simply boot the machine with this CD and accept the defaults all the way through to clear the Administrator's password.
It will simply set the Administrator's password to no password at all. You can then re-boot the machine using the Administrator's login and simply do not enter anything on the Password line. Once you have accessed the machine as Administrator, you can go and change the Administrator's password normally, remembering that the current password at this time would be noting at all.
You may have to change a setting in the machine's BIOS to tell it to boot from the CD-ROM or in some cases, on boot up, you may have the ability to select a boot device by pressing an "F-key". If your machine has this capability, a message should flash up during the machine boot process telling you to Press F(x) on start to select a boot device.
In any event, the download from the site above will create a bootable LINUX disk that can edit the Windows Registry and change passwords (among other things).
One final note: Please be aware that if the Administrator has saved any encrypted files, they will not be available once you have changed the Administrator's password.

Hope this helps...

Thank u! That info is awsome, and I may be able to get it to work hopfully with a hard disk as my sons laptop does not have a CD Rom input on this particular model. Do u think that if I downloaded the software from MY Personal Computer, then ran it on his that it would work the same as a cd rom???? (Thanks so much for taking the time to look this stuff up, ANY info at all means the world to me)

I'm not sure if that would work , you could give it a try or you could try an external CD drive.

im still kind of baffled as to how you can be doing/running things on the laptop that you cant get to admin acct because you don't have the admin password

******************************************************I CANT do much at all, I'm always getting the "you do not have the Administrator rights to view this page, or to use this program..ie defragging to TRYING and make it go a little faster." His computer needs cleaned out so so bad, but it doesnt allow a 'GUEST' to do that. . Email and basic browsing is about all I or he can do on the laptop as it let me log into a GUEST acct. Not sure how I figured that out or what I did, but I guess at this point its better for him than nothing at least he can do SOME research.

ok, i got it now ,sorry

No worries, I was suprised when I actually found it too. And even more suprised when I could make him a log in under Guest. (but still driving me crazy I cant get
administrators (SFLT27\Administrators) to actually work, but guess if ya cant even change the passwork in the command prompt., or safe mode f8 w/control panel, I am just about out of options

Hello crystal26_03,


I've Listed Three Methods :
1)
1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)
2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd”
3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now
5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.
6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair.

It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”
Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.
7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.
8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”
9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.
10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.
11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.
12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).

ELSE AFTER STEP 10

Type in: “Net User Administrator *” It’ll tell you to enter a password, then again to confirm it. This will both change the password or make a new one.

13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.


you cannot cancel repair after making the changes and expect to logon with your new password.
Cancelling will just result in Setup resuming at bootup and your changes will be lost.

If you don't wan't to go by this way i can suggest you two bootable pass-crackers :
2) Ophcrack
3) Offine NT Password & Registry Editor


Ophcrack will Find you the password (Not fool-proof)(412 Mb to download)(But easy to use)

Offline NT password and registry editor works on all platforms of windows. It won't retrieve your password but instead will clear it through 5-10 steps...The steps may seem complicated but its worth...

I've Personally tried the 1st and the 3rd methods and they Work very well...

Sorry, just read u don't have a CD-Rom so i'd suggest you the third step from my suggestion above if you find it comfortable

I've Listed Three Methods :
1)
1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)
2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd”
3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now
5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.
6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair.

It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”
Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.
7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.
8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”
9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.
10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.
11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.
12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).

ELSE AFTER STEP 10

Type in: “Net User Administrator *” It’ll tell you to enter a password, then again to confirm it. This will both change the password or make a new one.

13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.


you cannot cancel repair after making the changes and expect to logon with your new password.
Cancelling will just result in Setup resuming at bootup and your changes will be lost.

If you don't wan't to go by this way i can suggest you two bootable pass-crackers :
2) Ophcrack
3) Offine NT Password & Registry Editor


Ophcrack will Find you the password (Not fool-proof)(412 Mb to download)(But easy to use)

Offline NT password and registry editor works on all platforms of windows. It won't retrieve your password but instead will clear it through 5-10 steps...The steps may seem complicated but its worth...

I've Personally tried the 1st and the 3rd methods and they Work very well...[/QUOTE]